About maketodayrock.com: We celebrate musicians' birthdays, remember those we've lost, and highlight key moments in music such a release dates, chart peak dates, or anything else tied to a specific date. Pick any day from the menu in the top right. The front page shows recent obituaries.
November 11, 1989 ~ Glam metal, pop metal outfit Bon Jovi release Living In Sin, lifted off their New Jersey album ~ The New Jersey band were on a roll from the mid- to late 1980s. All three singles of their Slippery When Wet album had reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100, breaking the record for most top 10 hits off the same album for any glam metal band. With its follow-up New Jersey they broke their own record, simply because they lifted five singles off of it and all five would reach top 10, with Living In Sin issued as the album's fifth and final single completing the run. Written solely by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, Living In Sin tells of true love being stronger than anything, even if others may frown upon a couple's living out of wedlock: “I call it love, they call it living in sin.” During live performances of the song, Bon Jovi would regularly play a short cover of Chapel Of Love, a 1964 hit for the Dixie Cups referencing a wedding chapel, during the outro of the songNovember 11, 1989 ~ Charles Henry Anderson, commonly known as blues, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Casey Anderson, passed away in California, USA ~ Masters over a dozen instruments. Proficient in various genres including jazz, country, folk and pop. Debuted in 1959 with the Casey Sings Out album. Has worked with musicians such as Art Ryerson, Bruce Langthorne, Panama Francis, Felix Pappalardi, and with producers such as Nesuhi Ertegun, Ed Hansen and Glen Dee Hardin ~ Anderson was born in 1934
November 11, 1986 ~ Jonathan Michael Batiste, commonly known as pianist, singer Jon Batiste, born in Kenner, Louisiana, USA ~ Draws from R&B, jazz, post-bop, gospel and neo-soul. To the general public perhaps best known for leading Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, from 2015 until 2022. Batiste hails from a musical family which includes over two dozen professional musicians, and has recorded prolifically since his Times Is New Orleans debut album released in 2005. Batiste is especially acclaimed for co-composing the soundtrack to Soul with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, which earned the trio numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Grammy Award, and for his 2021 album We Are, awarded a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. As a sideman and collaborator, Batiste has worked with a wide array of artists including Irvin Mayfield, Adonis Rose, Harry Connick Jr (Oh My Nola), Cassandra Wilson (Silver Pony), Rhiannon Giddens, Jamison Ross, Wynton Marsalis, and Cory WongNovember 11, 1983 ~ Pianist, composer Arno Babajanian passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Child prodigy. Rooted in Armenian folk music. Influenced by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sergei Prokofiev and Béla Bartók. Admired by peers such as Dmitri Shostakovich. Composed for piano, orchestral music, ballet, chamber music, orchestral works and for film. In addition to numerous awards had a minor planet, 9017 Babadzhanyan, named after him ~ Babajanian was born in 1921
November 11, 1979 ~ Composer, conductor Dimitri Tiomkin, full name Dmitri Zinovievich Tiomkin, passed away in London, UK ~ Classically trained in St Petersburg, Tiomkin moved to Berlin and subsequently to the USA after the Russian Revolution, establishing himself as an in-demand film composer. Enjoyed a particular productive spell during the 1950s, at one time ranked as the highest paid film composer and writing close to one score per month, and receiving Academy Awards for Best Original Score for the Westerns High Noon, The High And Mighty, and The Old Man And The Sea ~ Tiomkin was born in 1894
November 11, 1978 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Aaron Bruno, full name Aaron Richard Bruno, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and constant member, lead singer of Awolnation, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Megalithic Symphony released in 2011. Bruno had previously worked with Insurgence, Home Town Hero, and Under The Influence Of Giants
November 11, 1977 ~ Modern jazz pianist, composer Florian Weber born in Detmold, West Germany ~ Co-founded Trio Minsareh teaming up with bassist Jeff Denson and drummer Ziv Ravitz. Founded Biosphere with Lionel Loueke, Thomas Morgan, Dan Weiss. Also worked with Markus Stockhausen, Donny McCaslin, Ralph Alessi, Linda May Han Oh, and Nasheet WaitsNovember 11, 1977 ~ Márcio André Nepomuceno Garcia, commonly known as singer, songwriter MC Marinho, born in Duque de Caxias, Brazil ~ Dubbed “the Prince of Funk” Garcia enjoyed popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s. Has released about half a dozen albums, his Because I Love You debut album with his then-girlfriend MC Cacau. Well-known songs include Rap Do Solitário, Escrito Pras Princesas, Garota Nota 100, and Glamurosa ~ Garcia passed away in 2023
November 11, 1977 ~ Pianist Terry Shand, full name Terence Alister Shand passed away in Houston, Texas, USA\ ~ Worked with Jack Teagarden, Wingy Manone, Muggsy Spanier, Freddy Martin. Also known as a songwriter. Co-wrote Dance With A Dolly With A Hole In Her Stocking first recorded by Tony Pastor. Co-wrote I'm Gonna Lock My Heart And Throw Away The Key, recorded by Billie Holiday ~ Shand was born in 1904
November 11, 1974 ~ Jonathan David Buck, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jon B, born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA ~ Worked as a songwriter for After 7, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Color Me Badd, and the Spice Girls. Debuted as a solo artist with the Bonafide album in 1995, spawning the hit Someone To Love. Other well known songs include Are U Still Down featuring Tupac Shakur, They Don't Know, I Do (Whatcha Say Boo), and Don't Talk
November 11, 1972 ~ Bassist Berry Oakley, full name Raymond Berry Oakley III, passed away in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, present on the albums The Allman Brothers Band, Idlewild South, At Fillmore East, Eat A Peach, and on two tracks on the 1973 Brothers And Sisters. Passed away due to complications following a motorcycle accident at age 24. The accident was just three blocks from where his bandmate Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident the previous year. ~ Oakley was born in 1948November 11, 1967 ~ Singer Van Morrison appears on American Bandstand ~ The 22-year old Irish Van Morrison, fresh out of Them, makes his sole appearance on American Bandstand, lip-syncing Brown Eyed Girl and Ro Ro Rosey to a crowd of American teenagers. The former song had reached Billboard Hot 100 top 10 and launched his solo career. Van Morrison seems aloof and disinterested in the whole affair as he is seen offering only one word answers to Dick Clark during a brief interview between the songs
November 11, 1966 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Anke Helfrich born in Horb am Neckar, Germany ~ Actively recording since the mid 1990s, usually in smaller ensembles. Leader and eponym of the Anke Helfrich Trio, known for the albums You'll See released in 2000 and Better Times Ahead released in 2006. Both albums featured revered trumpeter Roy Hargrove
November 11, 1966 ~ Merrill Nisker, commonly known as electroclash, electropunk, dance-punk, alternative hip-hop, alternative rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Peaches, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of folk trio Mermaid Cafe. Founded rock band the Shit in 1995. Released her Fancypants Hoodlum solo debut album the same year. Would go on to serve as opening acts for artists such as Marilyn Manson and the Queens Of The Stone Age. Known for songs such as Kick It featuring Iggy Pop, Shake Yer Dix and DowntownNovember 11, 1965 ~ Producer, DJ Andy Hughes, full name Andrew Paul Hughes, born in Harrow, UK ~ Best known for his collaborations with the Orb during the late 1990s and early 2000s, mixing and producing the albums Orbus Terrarum, Orblivion and Cydonia. Also worked with the Cranberries and Tangerine Dream ~ Hughes passed away in 2009
November 11, 1965 ~ Pop singer Kim Stockwood born in Canada ~ Formed the 2000s pop trio Shaye with Damhnait Doyle and Tara MacLean, with whom she recorded the albums The Bridge and Lake Of Fire. Stockwood has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Bonavista. All four of the album's singles, She's Not In Love, Enough Love, Jerk, and You Won't Remember This, would reach top 20 in her native Canada
November 11, 1962 ~ Jazz trumpeter James Morrison, full name James Lloyd Morrison, born in Boorowa, Australia ~ Actively recording since the mid-1980s, noted for his 1990 Snappy Doo album. Also known for writing and performing the opening fanfare for the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney. As a TV personality known as one of the hosts of Top Gear Australia. First Australian to perform with jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie. Over the course of his career has also worked with George Benson, Ray Brown, Cab Calloway, Jon Faddis, Herbie Hancock, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, and Frank SinatraNovember 11, 1961 ~ Lindon Andrew Roberts, commonly known as dancehall, ragga, reggae singer Half Pint, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Known for songs such as Sally, Mr Landlord, Substitute Lover and Greeting. Worked with King Jammy, Sly & Robbie, George Phang, Jack Scorpio, Garnett Silk, Tony Rebel, and the Tamlins
November 11, 1960 ~ Billy James, commonly known as rock, jazz, experimental drummer, percussionist, singer Ant-Bee, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ As a musician known for his collaborations with Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith (all members of the original backing band of Alice Cooper), the Mothers Of Invention, and Bruce Cameron, as well as for a number of solo albums starting with Pure Electric Honey released in 1990. Also known as a publicist and founder of Glass Onyon PR, representing artists such as King Crimson, Jon Anderson, Greg Lake, and John Wetton
November 11, 1958 ~ Blues, country, folk, rock & roll singer, guitarist Chris Jones, full name Christopher Paul Jones, born in Reno, Nevada, USA ~ Following a stint in the US Army, stationed in Germany, would spend most of his career in Europe. Influenced by Robert Johnson, James Taylor, Little Feat. Well known for his association with blues harpist Steve Baker. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with No Looking Back released in 1983, and guested on recordings by Kieran Halpon, Reinhard Mey, Sara K, and Steve Strauss ~ Jones passed away in 2005
November 11, 1958 ~ Pop, rock singer, songwriter Luz Casal, full name Maria Luz Casal Paz, born in Bolmorto, Spain ~ Rose to fame in the early 1980s, her first hit a Spanish-language cover of Étienne Daho's Duel Au Soleil retitled to Un Nuevo Dia Brillara. Other well known songs included Plensa En Mi, Te Deje Marhar, and No Me Importa Nada
November 11, 1957 ~ Singer Shirley Bassey held hostage at gunpoint in a London hotel ~ Scheduled to leave later the same day for her Australian tour, the 20-year old Shirley Bassey is held prisoner at the Cumberland Hotel, London. While in the process of approving dresses a 19-year old man burst into the hotel room with a revolver in his hand. Police were able to overpower the man after four hours
November 11, 1956 ~ New wave, synth-pop, electronic keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist Ian Craig Marsh born in Sheffield, UK ~ Co-founding member of Human League, present on the albums Reproduction and Travelogue. Departed the band in 1980 to form the band and production company BEF with Martyn Ware. The duo is best known for their project Heaven 17, which also included Glenn Gregory, scoring the UK top 10 hits Temptation and Come Live With Me
November 11, 1956 ~ Bandleader Jimmy Dorsey & his Orchestra record So Rare ~ Written by Jerry Herst and Jack Sharpe. Originally published in 1937, unclear who was the first to record it though Carl Ravell is most likely one of the first. Both Guy Lombardo and Gus Arnheim each also recorded the song as early as 1937. Jimmy Dorsey's rendition is noted for being one of his biggest late-career hits, released in early 1957 as a single b/w Sophisticated Swing, becoming one of the biggest big band recordings during the first rock & roll era. Dorsey would die the same year of cancer. Subsequently the song would be recorded by Don Cherry, Ella Fitzgerald, Mose Allison, King Curtis, and Chet Atkins
November 11, 1956 ~ Violinist, pianist, composer, songwriter Victor Young passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Bandleader, conductor perhaps best known for writing or co-writing a number of classic tracks including When I Fall In Love (Jeri Southern), Blue Star (The Medic Theme) (Les Baxter, Earl Grant, the Ventures), Sweet Sue Just You (Charlie Straight, Ted Lewis, Fats Waller, Louis Prima), Can't We Talk It Over (Bing Crosby, Red McKenzie, Toni Arden), Street Of Dreams (Russ Columbo, Ben Selvin, Sarah Vaughan), Love Letters (Dick Haymes, Tony Bennett, Perry Como), Around The World (Eddie Fisher, Frank Sinatra, Brenda Lee), My Foolish Heart (Gordon Jenkins, Billy Eckstine, the Del Vikings, Sam Cooke), Johnny Guitar (Peggy Lee), I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance (Bing Crosby) ~ Young was born ca.1899